Raleigh, N.C., February 21, 2018 – Inmates to Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit that provides free entrepreneurship education and mentorship to people with criminal records, announced today that it is expanding its programming to Charlotte, N.C.
Inmates to Entrepreneurs, headquartered in Raleigh, was founded by Sageworks Founder and entrepreneurship advocate Brian Hamilton in 1992. Since then, Brian and the program’s mentors, who are also business owners, have taught entrepreneurship to thousands of men and women in more than 50 correctional institutions, additionally serving as individual mentors to people upon their release from prison. The organization’s program offerings also grew in 2017 to include an eight-week course covering modules on entrepreneurship essentials like marketing, financing and sales.
The expansion of the program comes as a result of increased demand for support and mentoring from current inmates and people with criminal records throughout the state. The expansion will be spearheaded by recently hired Charlotte Program Director Alexandria Thomas and will offer resources and mentors based in the Charlotte area. The Charlotte chapter of the organization will also soon deploy an eight-week course, following the model that has seen recent success in Raleigh.
Jaclyn Parker, Director of Inmates to Entrepreneurs said, “There is a huge demand throughout the formerly incarcerated community for business education and entrepreneurial mentorship because of the barriers that exist in finding traditional jobs. We are so excited to be able to grow in meeting this need throughout the state, and are encouraged by the outpouring of interest and support for the program we’ve already seen from the Charlotte community.”
Brian Hamilton noted, “Our long-term vision is to create a volunteer program with national scope where former inmates who have started businesses and who feel passionate about helping others in their shoes can offer mentoring. We want to provide people who have been incarcerated with guidance and hope, and believe that the second chance offered in owning a business is a powerful force against a return to old habits or mistakes.”
To volunteer or to find out more about Inmates to Entrepreneurs, visit www.inmatestoentrepreneurs.org.
About Inmates to Entrepreneurs
Inmates to Entrepreneurs provides resources, mentorship, and hope to help people with criminal backgrounds start, grow, and run low-capital service businesses. Our vision is to reduce the rate of recidivism in the United States by providing an alternative path to financial stability and success. To learn more, visit inmatestoentrepreneurs.org.
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(919) 247-0384
